SO...the big question is a Carnival or a Disney Cruise?

Question

We are on a budget...as was pointed out in my last question. We have narrowed it down to Carnival or Disney. Please give me your opinion...I don't want other suggestions from any of the others, because either for financial or other reason...they have been ruled out.

Also, what do we need to expect to pay for once we are on the ship? Are all the specialty restaurants included? Help!

Answer 1

DISNEY!!! Its an awesome cruise line for families! They are super great with the kids and also with the adults. But I believe they are expensive. But I guess if its not a problem i would deffinatly go DISNEY!!!!! I have heard so many bad things that happen on Carnival cruises and bad expirences but never on a Disney! Disney is an awesome company and the cruises are great! have fun!

Answer 2

C'mon folks - read the question.

In a budget. NOT Disney. Sure they're good but I've been on Carnaval with my 3 kids and they can't wait to go back again.

Save the $$$ - you can't go wrong with Carnaval.

Bon Voyage!

Answer 3

Disney is one of the more-expensive mass-market cruise lines.  They only have two ships, so there are relative few rooms to meet the high demand.

Carnival is a pretty good line, especially for first-time cruisers.  The decor is way over the top [Vegas glitz] but the cabins are fairly large, the food is pretty good [especially the pizza and free ice cream!] and there's lots to do.  

If you want to read past passenger comments on the two lines, or specific ships, go to CruiseCritic.com, click on "Reviews" and then look for "Member Reviews" or read the pro reviews.  You might also want to look at "Cruise Styles" and click on "Family Cruises".  If you want more-specific info, go to the "Boards" section and then to the topic you're interested in.

Specialty restaurants are never included in the regular cruise fare, but there are plenty of places to eat without using them.  

What you pay for is tips [$10/person/day], sodas/alcohol, spa treatments, purchases in the shops, photos, shore excursions, casino.  These are all optional, except for the tips.

You might want to check your library for a book on cruising, to get a general overview of what cruises are like.  And if you're going to the Caribbean, you may want to get a book on that, too, to get an idea of what you might want to do on the different islands.  [Or look at "Ports of Call" at Cruise Critic.]

Hope you have a great time!

Answer 4

Yes, Carnival is great.  All your meals are included in the total you pay before. Shipboard activities are free. You just have to pay for any excursions and off ship activities. Each night  you will have entertainment.

Carnival Triumph

http://russianwomenshome.com/simplemachi...

Answer 5

Both are good lines.  The food is rather blan on Disney - catering to kids.  There is no casino on Disney either.  Carnival basic rooms are larger.

Answer 6

Disney is the best cruise!   The only thing you pay extra for are the tips for your dining and stateroom staff at the end of the cruise. A 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar drinks.  All food, and non alcoholic drinks are included once onboard.  Your excursions are extra, of course. There are 4 restaurants onboard: "Animator's Palate", "Triton's, "Parrot Cay", and "Palo". The only restaurant that you pay extra for is "Palo".  This is an adult only restaurant and they charge $10 per person for dinner there.  It does require advance reservations.  Casual dining locations are:  "Beach Blanket Buffet", "Pluto's Dog House", "Pinochio's Pizzeria", and "Goofy's Galley".  Room service is also a choice which is also available at no additional charge.  I have been on a Disney Cruise once before and we are getting ready for our second trip in July.  It is just awesome!

Answer 7

I haven't been on Disney...but if you could afford it I suggest taking to kids on their line. Carnival is great...but it's Disney..how can they go wrong with kids!! No..the specialty rest. is extra.

The only things you HAVE to pay for is the tips. You can drink the free drinks, don't have to get pictures, don't buy any nick-nacks, etc. You can cruise for cheap..or you can cruise expensive. It's all up to you.

My last Edit..I promise..haha. Check out cruisecritic.com. This is a forum that holds very valuable information! You will become addicted! You can find out anything imaginable about cruising on these boards.

Answer 8

If you are traveling with children (around ages 1-14) then I would suggest the disney cruise since it has many more children activities than carnival. If it is just adults, I would suggest carnival.

Good luck on your cruise! Have fun!

Answer 9

http://riveraramos.vacationmedia.net/

Answer 10

Carnival is far cheaper than Disney Cruise.  Careful of your age though--during the past week, Carnival has initiated a new ruling that there must be at least one adult over the age ov 25 to every stateroom.  Specialty restaurants, regardless of cruise line, are additional fees ranging $20 and upwards to $35.

Answer 11

definatly carnival!!!!!

i've been on three and never complained about anything

i went on two disney and there were a couple things we complained about

Answer 12

Normally Disney is 2x the price of Carnival.  On CCL. all food with the exception of the speciality restuaurant and the speciality coffee shop should be included.  You will also have to pay for bottled water, carbonated drinks and alcohol.  You will also pay about $10per day per person for standard tips.  You will also have to pay for your shore excursions.  From my understanding,  Disney doesn't have as many adult activitives as Carnival, so I don't believe that Disney will have a casino and "R: rated shows.  Disney will be 100% kid oriented.  CCL, in my opinion has the best mix.  Enough for the kids to do but also enough adult fun.

Answer 13

If you want the kids to enjoy it the most, Disney would prob. be best. Carnival would also be fun. Disney the kids will enjoy more and you will enjoy it as well. Carnival is great too. The specialty restaurants are usually $30 more per person. You have to dress up for those. But if you go to a buffet or 24 hr pizza then it is free. The specialty restuarants are the ones with the dancing and stuff. So they charge you for that too, the food is a little fancy. But I think you can order from any menu, so you get what its worth.

Answer 14

Disney - GREAT for kids, more "polished" than Carnival, arguably not as fun for adults

Carnival - good for kids, lively nightlife for adults, sometimes the entertainment can be a bit "edgy" (skimpy costumes)

In terms of onboard costs, you do pay extra for anything described as a "specialty restaurant".  Typically $30 per person, though the service and quality of food will be  higher than the main dining room (which will also be good).

This article goes into some detail about "what it really costs" on a cruise:

http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/in...